NotePerformer vs Sibelius Sounds: Is it Worth the Money? (review)

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You may have seen NotePerformer lurking around the virtual instrument world and wondered if it’s worth the price tag.
Short answer: Yes, it is. It sounds pretty amazing quite easily and it can take that grubby MIDI playback and breathe some serious life into it.
Do you already own NotePerformer and have your own opinion? Let me know in the comments below the video and let’s discuss!
I’d also love to know what you thought about the live video earlier this week :)
Thanks so much for being here.
Beginning Animation: Alan Špiljak
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[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much for watching! If you want some proven tools to help you level up your melodies check out my FREE guide, 7 Ways to Write a More Effective Melody ►► justwritemusic.com

[@rowdyrob3d]

Thank you very much for this very informative video! Your musical style (in the examples you demonstrated) seems to be more avant-garde, which makes expressions and accuracy all the more critical. Sibelius stock sounds made some of your pieces sound like one of those random note generator programs! NotePerformer made a very critical difference. I'm very impressed!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! This means a ton. You’re absolutely right, the difference in expression is absolutely nuts. I understand why some may not like the ambience, though I’d blame Avid more than anyone for making an obtuse and bloated UI. Thank you so much for commenting. Have a great one!

[@fishoscine1220]

No brainer! Great compositions too!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! :D

[@emmanuelcanazares259]

Just like the cello gliss, this review is "on point", Thanks! Amazing compositions, too.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thank you so much! That means a ton 🙏

[@aceplayerMusic]

I totally agree It's definitely worth it. Cant wait for it to be compatible with musescore too!

[@JustWriteMusic]

That will be a glorious day indeed! Thanks for commenting 🤘

[@marcmagras]

@@JustWriteMusic Is it in the works or something?

[@JustWriteMusic]

Yeah I believe it is. It looks like it’ll be compatible with MuseScore 4: musescore.org/en/MuseScore4 Head to the VST chapter

[@marcmagras]

@@JustWriteMusic You make me want to cry! I'll just hold on until MS4.

[@aceplayerMusic]

@@JustWriteMusic Well, I spoke to some people who knew, and they said that it won't be available in the initial release of ms4, but at a later date. :(

[@AKhajavi]

Thanks for analyzing these two. You are sure. Also is very different with finale notation.

[@JustWriteMusic]

My pleasure!

[@IanHollis]

I *LOVE* NotePerformer, particularly as it reads the score so accurately and effortlessly. For Sibelius to do the same thing I often found myself having to go 'under the hood' to tweak midi messages so the score sounded the way I wanted it to sound. No such problem with NotePerformer. I just hit "Play" and the score sounds (mostly) as expected.

[@JustWriteMusic]

I couldn’t agree more! Thanks so much for commenting 🙏

[@AugustinLehfuss]

great video - thank you! 🙂 of course the modern technologies provide amazing possibilities, but let's not forget, that we write music for living instruments - so I use the sounds of my notation programm (finale in my case) only to give an impression what the music should sound like . If I want to have it sound real I use a DAW or even better have it played by real musicians, I do not want to spend hours to adjust software controller to have it sound naturally - however, the tools we have are amazing, but if you are not able to write the old fashion (pen and pencil), these tools won't bring you any further - (just to have it said...)

[@JustWriteMusic]

I 100% agree with everything except your last point. I’ve heard the argument about only writing with pen and paper before, but I don’t buy it. Too many masterpieces have been made without the musical material originating from the inner ear directly onto the page. Just my opinion, however. Thanks so much for commenting tho! I’ve wanted to talk about that for quite a bit actually :)

[@AugustinLehfuss]

@@JustWriteMusic to be honest, I use a mix of pen and paper and notation software - depending on what the actual work is about - just wantet to point out, that the best software and technology will never replace inner ear and "old school" skills - we live in the 21st century, so the demands to a composer are different. Artists and ensembles want to hear what they will get before the play it - but though I deeply admire those who make perfectly sounding playbacks, I would not focus too much on the quality of the playback ... it's the music that counts, not the technical skills to let it spound perfectly (useful though...) I think we have a very similar approach :-)

[@JustWriteMusic]

Haha you’re not wrong. I use a combination of notation software, my voice, and my guitar. I definitely hear what you’re saying. You have to know how to write for an orchestra if you have the slightest hope of using orchestral samples and have it sound like an orchestra. The fundamentals will always be important 👍

[@AugustinLehfuss]

@@JustWriteMusic I am almost 60 - when I started to write music in the early 1980 ties (long before computers.) , the only way was to use pen and paper, then copy the single parts with an ink pen and then, when the musicians started to read, hope for the best. Seen that way the modern technology is truely a blessing -)

[@JustWriteMusic]

I hear you there! I definitely feel blessed to have been able to take advantage of available technology. Before just 15 or 20 years, it just wasn’t all that possible for the everyday composer

[@amir.nouroozi.composer]

This is JUST what I was looking for, Thanks for this awesome video.

[@JustWriteMusic]

My pleasure! Thanks for this awesome comment 🤘

[@stevanjocic2808]

Hi, amazing video. I do have a question does sibelius sounds come with sibelius ultimate or you need to purchase them separately? And if so,how to do that? I'm quite confused with the avid things and app that is on my computer. Thank you.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Sibelius Sounds comes with any version of Sibelius you buy :)

[@hotdrumman]

Short answer. yes, it's worth it.. Rent it to buy interest free!!

[@JustWriteMusic]

YES. That new rent to buy option really is incredible. I can't believe I forgot to mention it. Thanks so much for bringing it up 😄

[@sir_pattington1894]

Informative and entertaining throughout. Pretty rare a neanderthal like me can sit through 17 minutes of a product review but this had so much info packed in and was very well delivered.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thank you so much! Happy to help and thank you for commenting 🙏🙏🙏

[@PiergiorgioPirro]

I would be curious of your thoughts about how composing on the computer is influencing the present-day practice and style of composers.

[@JustWriteMusic]

That's an amazing questions and I would love to make a video about it. Even if it's just you and me chatting in the comments below, that's a video worth making. Thanks so much! Also, I'm trying to take my vids to the next level. Your answers to these 2 questions will help tremendously: 1. What's your biggest frustration with writing music / your writing process? 2. What's your biggest hope or dream with writing music / your writing process? Thanks so much!

[@alexandertimofeev7290]

nice job on the comparison - in noteperformer you could also easily vary the amount of strings vibrato (the depth and rate) for specific notes or sections

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! That’s right; those settings can be really helpful for dialing in the kind of performance you want. Solid tip. Thanks for commenting 🤘

[@NeuralAcademy]

@@JustWriteMusic How do you change the vibrato? I use Finale so not sure if you know, but any advice would be appreciated!

[@JustWriteMusic]

I’m not 100% sure for Finale; it’s possible the vibrato might be automated, but if Finale has a “realism” or “humanize” setting, that’s the first place I’d look. Hope this helps!

[@MichaelSmith-on1ig]

I’m curious what do you think about MuseScore 4 sounds.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Great question! I think the MuseScore 4 sounds are pretty solid. They're definitely far better than Sibelius Sounds as they stand now. Noteperformer still feels better in terms of sound quality, however, I think the AI playback is what really makes it stand apart from competitors.

[@HrHTeam]

What about comparing the default NotePerformer to NotePerformer Playback Engine?

[@JustWriteMusic]

Like a A/B of the playback engine with different sound libraries?

[@Cookie212dgrs]

How about percussion sounds? Drumline sounds? Do you have any comments on this?

[@JustWriteMusic]

Oh man, what a blind spot for this video! In my experience, it's just fine. Percussion is far easier to sample than other instruments in general. Clearly I'll have to do an update for percussion! Thank you for this!

[@ReachMePiano]

liked your review, just subscribed

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! That seriously means a ton

[@ReachMePiano]

@@JustWriteMusic hi, I‘m new to Sibelius and encountering a problem , I tried to find solution for it on Internet but all failed. The problem is when I start playback in Sibelius, the playhead in Sibelius does not in line with the music play-backing (1 crotchet beat slower) , do you have any idea? drive.google.com/file/d/1SKNJeRBtUh4FVZaObTNOyq0hYdoO80nR/view?usp=sharing Here's the screen recording of it

[@JustWriteMusic]

A little delay is normal actually. It could easily be 1 crotchet depending on the tempo. You could check your buffer settings in the auto engine menu. It may help to turn it down, but Sibelius may have trouble processing larger ensembles

[@JustWriteMusic]

@Reach Me I'd love to hear what your biggest frustration is with writing music at the moment. Also, what's your biggest hope or dream with writing music? Thanks!

[@davidbrown8763]

Thanks for this informative video, which proves that NotePerformer is much better. Did you load NotePerformer on its own, or combined with Sibelius? - I am guessing on its own.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks! Yeah definitely way better. I used NotePerformer as the source instruments in Sibelius itself

[@davidbrown8763]

@@JustWriteMusic Thanks. Yes I realise that you used Sibelius music software with NotePerformer. My fault, because I left out an important word in my question, which should have read as follows: Did you load NotePerformer on its own, or combined with Sibelius SOUNDS?

[@JustWriteMusic]

@@davidbrown8763 Ahhh yes I see. I don't mix the two together, I only use the NotePerformer on its own. At this point, no SS instrument competes, at least the ones I use. For world instruments and other unique indigenous instruments, SS may be better, but I just don't have the experience to say one way or the other in that regard.

[@davidbrown8763]

@@JustWriteMusic Thank you.

[@matthewwhitaker4849]

Hi. Thanks so much for doing this video. Could you do a comparison with jazz examples? Would love to see / hear how Sibelius Sounds and the one's from NotePerformer sound compared. Thank you

[@JustWriteMusic]

Hi Matthew! That’s a great suggestion - I’ll put that in the docket. Thanks so much for commenting and I’m happy to hear you got something out of it!

[@fingerhorn4]

Apart from the sheer quality of Note Performer, the crowning advantage it has over every other auto-orchestrator or even sampler for that matter, is the TAIL ending of notes. The sibelius note endings are abruptly cut off, whereas Note Performer intelligently recognises a legato passage and each phrase ending note is tailed gently off in musical way.

[@JustWriteMusic]

100% agree. It adds so much to the feel of the instruments and the realism. Thanks so much for commenting!

[@JuanMariaSolare]

the second flat is actually redundant

[@JustWriteMusic]

yeah typos happen lol

[@MichaelSydneyJones]

Excellent compositions. 😊

[@JustWriteMusic]

why thank you good sir!

[@StefanGraz]

Just one question: is NotePerformer a collection of sound samples or is it only an AI engine for playback. Do I need my own sounds (e.g. from Native Instruments, VSL or the notation software itself) or does NotePerformer come with the sounds I need?

[@JustWriteMusic]

Great question. Noteperformer comes with the samples too, so you don’t need to worry about getting other virtual instruments or samples

[@rudidegroote6616]

Great video and review…. I work with Sibelius and logic mostly and to be honest, nothing does legato like sib and NP together! I can achieve most of what I need using these two programmes. Buying ‘legato’ samples is a gigantic waste of money! Thanks for the vid! Although I do wish you could say what you ‘really’ think! Thanks again… R😊

[@JustWriteMusic]

Definitely hear you there! Haha that's fair. I lean a bit where you're at - love NP's performances compared to the run-of-the-mill legato patch that's usually still 100s of dollars if it sounds usable without moderate engineering involved

[@Mythansar]

Great video friend! :) Keep doing it! Apologies to ask such questions as I'm still learning some little things in music theory, I was wondering If the music at 9:58 is considered as atonal music ? Thanks :)

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! That’s a great question. It definitely has atonal qualities, but I’m not sure I would call it wholly atonal. Perhaps a small atonal section in a larger more or less tonal piece. I personally like straddling that line between tonality and atonality. I realize this is not a clear answer. I’m sorry 😂

[@Mythansar]

@@JustWriteMusic Haha, I would say like you said friend! :D And It's all fine no problems, keep doing such videos like that! Great job! ;)

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks! If there’s anything you think I can do better, or would like me to cover in the future, don’t hesitate to let me know!

[@Mythansar]

@@JustWriteMusic Alright there! I'll keep that in mind! :) Thanks for asking! ^^'

[@JustWriteMusic]

My pleasure!

[@lattetown]

I see note performer also works with Dorico and Finale-I'd love to see your video comparing them with the same kind of feature categories you did in this video: easy of midi note entry, ease of score editing, realism of articulations and dynamics. What do you think?

[@JustWriteMusic]

There’s a great idea! Now I just gotta get my hands on that software. Thank god for free trials! Thanks for commenting 🙏

[@mohammadkhoshdel4451]

Hey guys. Do u know any Other VST for Sibelius? Actually Noteperformer is So much Better than the Sibelius Sounds. But its not satisfying Enough...

[@JustWriteMusic]

[Rant.exe initializing... You can certainly put in essentially any VST into Sibelius. Making it play nice is a different story. To get better than noteperformer with fully formed performances like this, you'd probably have to spend a buttload of money; or create your own AI to manipulate the samples of your choosing. Otherwise (is this a word?) - you're better off getting some good samples from an instrument library (still not cheap, unfortunately) and composing with them straight into a DAW. The trade off is you don't really get to utilize notation in the same kind of way. Even with Logic, the score editor doesn't do a fantastic job of creating a realistic sound with notation parameters. I've found it clunky, at best; and it's certainly doable, especially if you find a flow. As it stands, NotePerformer is sort of one of a kind, but that is quickly changing. Unfortunately, engraving tools aren't usually the place where innovation is at the top of the priorities. [Rant.exe concluded. Hope this helped!

[@bdodger548]

Can you use Note Performer with MuseScore?

[@JustWriteMusic]

As far as I know it’s not available yet, but I do think it’s in the works if I’m not mistaken. Thanks for commenting!

[@darickharris4246]

Do you know how I could download it on windows 10, it isn’t working for me.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Sorry to hear you’re having trouble! What notation software do you use? Right now noteperformer is only compatible with Finale Sibelius and Dorico. Hope this helps!

[@darickharris4246]

@@JustWriteMusic I use Dorico and I figured it out thank you so much :))

[@JustWriteMusic]

Glad to hear it! My pleasure 👍👍👍

[@johnfriesen3335]

What about timbre comparison for STRINGS.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Ahhh I guess I missed that one. Good addition for a part 2 maybe?

[@matthiasrother9743]

Hey. Thanks for the video. I’m a Dorico an NP user. NP is absolutely great. BTW the strings are the only samples (8 different plain samples with no vibrato I think). The vibrato and so on are added via software. The other instruments are Synthesized (no physical models though). That’s why the strings have no such smooth timbre-change when changing dynamics compared to the brass and winds (as stated in the description on the Homepage). Still I can’t imagine np becoming so much better. But Arne said, they are developing it heavily 😃😃😃

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much! And thanks for commenting too 😂 That’s super cool, it completely makes sense why it sounds so good. I’d love to hear what Wallander could do with more sampled instruments with an updated AI algorithm. Even still, the jump in quality from Sibelius Sounds certainly is something. Like you said, I can’t imagine what they’d do in the future I'm not sure who Arne is though, are they a developer for Wallander Instruments?

[@matthiasrother9743]

@@JustWriteMusic I would hope them to use sample Modeling or audio Modeling. I know that Arne really likes what they do. An compared to sample he would still have the freedom to use the ai on vibrato, note-transition and so on. Samples are pre-recorded and therefore static. But I forgot to mention the most important thing. Your music sounds great. So refreshing to hear more interesting harmonies than the typical romantic orchestral stuff (which I also like, btw) 🤓

[@JustWriteMusic]

I see, is the drawback not being to achieve a realistic sound as easily? Or are reference tracks enough to get there with audio modeling? Well, thank you! ☺ That is most kind of you. I love that romantic orchestral sound, too. But we need contrast right? I've been trying to dive head-first into pandiatonicism, which I just can't get enough of at the moment. If there's any music you'd like to share, I'd love to hear it!

[@matthiasrother9743]

@@JustWriteMusic im afraid my English isn’t good enough to understand the firs sentence 🤪 You are right. We need contrast and edges I used to be more of a songwriter (even if I studied the cello for educational purposes). But every view years I try to dive deeper into some genre. Since I write for a theatre-group it’s good to be as versatile as possible. Two years ago it was electronic an house music. Since two years orchestral arrangements. Alan Belkin made me try to experiment with atonality as well. I’d love to share some music with you. But my orchestral stuff isn’t on KZbin. If you have an mail address I’d love to get feedback from you, since you seem to know what you are doing.

[@matthiasrother9743]

@@JustWriteMusic kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6G9dqtjYpeqr5I this is my band. We wrote and recorded it during the first lockdown in spring. Our drummer play saxophone. I lent a mic to the guitar player, which he used the wrong way, as you can see 😂. The bass player plays the harp via smartphone-mic and the cello player rocks her baby and plays the shaker via smartphone mic. But it works somehow. And It’s more about the lyrics anyway.

[@tspoh7578]

excellent presentation ! I respect your very high level of listening skill !!! yes note performer is great !!! may you be happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful always

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much and thank you for your comment! I hope you too will be happy healthy prosperous and peaceful 👍👍👍

[@aspsa6246]

Thank you for the video. Granted the sample libraries included with major music notation software (Finale, Sibelius, Dorico) are amateurish at best and, frankly, wholly uninspiring. The NotePerformer 3 capabilities are very intriguing, but it seems that NotePerformer 3 requires a bespoke sound library in order for its sound engine to control the performance of dynamics, articulations and timbral changes, particularly during sustained notes. As the NotePerformer 3 web site advises, the issue with performance control for sample libraries, even the more expensive ones, is that those libraries offer static samples. So, having a 2-bar whole note played by a solo violin at an adagio tempo with a dynamic shift from pp to ff, for example, may not sound too realistic, because the timbral shift that occurs with a real solo violin is often not achievable with even the best sample libraries. However, in all fairness, a deeper dive into some of the higher end sample libraries reveals the timbral shift that occurs in reality is well enough simulated by intelligent multi-sample crossfading, where the cross-faded samples recorded at different dynamics are substituted during the course of the note's duration. If the cross-fading is executed well enough, then it may sound like a singly played note with timbral shifts over time. In the violin example, I do not know how well the cross-faded samples will correlate with bowing, for instance. I know many advanced sample libraries include samples with both up and down bowings. Of course, there will always be a compromise, which is why all this technology is still a rough approximation at best in comparison to real instruments. I would be very interested in seeing future videos that compare NotePerfomer 3 and its sound library with other advanced sample libraries from Vienna Symphonic Library, 8DIO, Spitfire, Cinesamples, etc. Also, it would be desirable if NotePerformer 3 can integrate some of its sound engine capabilities with external sample libraries. Obviously, the external sample libraries would not be nearly as controllable as NotePerformer 3's sound library, but, perhaps through VS expression maps, for instance, NotePerformer 3 can introduce additional performance realism into external sample libraries. in summary, NotePerformer 3's price point is a no-brainer, and its key value proposition, in my opinion, is (a) to enhance workflow via its Finale/Sibelius/Dorico integration and (b) to keep the creative juices flowing by a more realistic performance playback while developing a score. Unless NotePerformer 3 includes the capabilities I mentioned earlier with external sample library integration, then I suspect the best playback results both in sound and performance are realized when combining NotePerformer 3's own sound library in combination with external libraries running within their own hosts (e.g., Kontakt, Play, UVI Workstation, HALion).

[@JustWriteMusic]

Damn this was an amazingly in-depth and well thought out comment. Kudos, my pleasure, and thank you!!

[@aspsa6246]

@@JustWriteMusic Thank you, and I look forward to seeing more NotePerformer 3 tutorials.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thank you 🙏 You’re in luck! I’ve got a few more in the pipeline. Next one should be released in 2 weeks. Subscribe and hit the bell if you want to be notified 😄

[@aspsa6246]

@@JustWriteMusic Excellent. Looking forward to the videos.

[@JustWriteMusic]

🥰

[@foll789]

i tried installing the demo but it does not work doesn't make any sound :/

[@JustWriteMusic]

Sorry to hear that. What’s your cpu info and what notation software are you using? There’s a very helpful support page on NotePerformer’s website. Also Arkham’s razor, make sure your output set to use noteperformer in the program you’re using. Hope this helps!

[@foll789]

@@JustWriteMusic thanks I'm using sibelius, and I tried all the methods listed on there but they didnt work I even reset it to defaults Im not sure why it doesnt work but I guess it just doesnt Thanks anyway and have a great day!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Oh weird. And you clicked noteperformer in the configuration submenu? Did you try restarting your computer?

[@foll789]

@@JustWriteMusic yup just doesn't make sound

[@JustWriteMusic]

That’s really strange. Is your output device in the audio engine settings the same as normal?

[@sofsalvo9910]

Thank you so much for this review! I've been looking for a really close comparison between NotePerformer and Sibelius as I'm starting to orchestrate some pieces virtually... I just have one more question, though, do you believe NP is enough for classical composers? As i'm also studying how to use a DAW, I encounter this whole process quite confusing. Which steps do you recomend following? Sibelius+NP, exporting to the DAW and working on the ambience... or what? btw, I just subsbribed! and I have a feeling I will be binge whatching all of your videos!

[@JustWriteMusic]

My heart is beaming. Thank you so so much for your comment! Ultimately it comes down to what the end goal of the music is. If it’s for portfolio purposes, I think Sibelius+NP will be just fine. There’s a built in adjustable tavern in Sibelius that NP uses and you heard it right there in the video. If you’re looking to compose music more for commercial use in media, then I’d recommend the workflow you described above. However, make sure you turn off the reverb in Sibelius before exporting (or at least at the lowest setting), so you can work with a dry (ish) sound in the DAW to further process as desired. Too much reverb is a quality killer from an audio perspective. All those washes and delays we hear are carefully EQd so they don’t interfere with the rest of the ensemble. If commercial composition is your goal, then you’d ultimately want to transition to using virtual instruments with high-quality samples right into the DAW. At that point it may be easier to compose right into the DAW itself. Those high quality libraries are also $$$$$. But the stock options in GarageBand and Logic Pro are passable once you get to know them. I hope this clears things up! Let me know if you have any more questions! Also stoked that I’ve activated binge mode!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@sofsalvo9910]

​@@JustWriteMusic omg, you're the kindest!!! I think I'll be heading down the road of "the ultimate workflow", as we can call it from now on ;) The notification just came in when I was watching your video about this subjet... and, taking into account what you told there, it may be best for me using the whole combination of Sibelius, Noteperformer and a DAW (I'm still trying to figure out which one, as I kinda know how to use FL Studio but I'm also aware of it not being an industry standard). In terms of VSTs I only have the BBC discover Orchestra, it's free and quite good for what you get. The problem is that I do not (emphasizing on the NOT, hahaha) find the way around recording and getting everything right in place; even if I did so... I'm the type of person that just needs to move everything around before compromising to a melody -you should've seen me migrating my workflow from Musescore to Sibelius... I practically rewrote the piece-. My musical background isn't that wide, but it has allways been around the piano. Unfortunately, the pandemic striked me moving across seas... leaving my piano and everything behind, so composing has become my "escape route" from reality and the only way I have to stay in touch with music. so, yeah, I think I will be feeling more comfortable working with notation software beforehand... Any thoughts or ideas that might help me with this? I still need to get a pair of headphones to listen to everything just right, but I did get a m-audio keystation 61 for my b-day! good news there! hahah Please pardon me for any mayor grammatical mistakes, English is not my first language. Once again, thank you so much for answering my coment, it's one of the first times for me! hahaha

[@JustWriteMusic]

My absolute pleasure! And no worries, your English is great. Sounds like you found your path. I personally use Logic Pro X precisely because I think it’s the best suited to composition. Particularly for its score editor feature, which isn’t nearly as good as Sibelius, but it’s there. Hope this helps! Very happy to have you here :)

Hey nice video, thank you!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Hey John! My pleasure and thanks so much for commenting

[@tom_suarez]

Thank you for this comparison. What stops me from using NotePerformer, despite all its virtues, is its ghastly violin-viola-'cello sound, which is actually even more synthetic than Sibelius'.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Huh, I didn’t get that impression at all. Very interesting! Also I appreciate your proper use of a possessive apostrophe when the word ends in “s.”

[@tom_suarez]

Thanks for the reply. I'd love to be wrong on this, but I am not the only person to react like this. I have never heard natural-sounding string sound from users' output, and my own inquiry to NP asking if there are links to samples of NP violin sound in the most natural setting, remain unanswered. I realize NP offers a free trial, but uninstalls are never complete, and I can't understand why NP doesn't have demos of its various sounds (or reply to my inquiry). (ps - I don't understand the grammatical sarcasm. The possessive form of is . With an apostrophe, it means . The pronoun does not behave like a noun as regards the possessive form.)

[@JustWriteMusic]

I admittedly have not gone as deep as you with investigating the sound. But I do understand how you mean about a general lack of realism in virtual instruments and programs like this. Unfortunately, to my understanding, we’re still a long-way off from convenient and convincing realism with virtual instruments for string instruments. (Also I was actually referring to the apostrophe used as a possessive at the end of “ Sibelius’ “ - and I was earnest in my comment 😂

[@tom_suarez]

Thanks --- and apologies for misunderstanding the apostrophe comment.

[@JustWriteMusic]

No worries! It was kind of a weird compliment anyway. Let me know if you ever hear back from Wallander (NP developer) I’d be interested to see that correspondence

[@f1livenews2023]

I Never liked Sibelius Sounds. I always felt it as holow, no substance. But this Noteperformer is something

[@JustWriteMusic]

couldn't agree more! It's certainly not perfect, but it's a step up and well worth being able to audibly hear an ok approximation of a performance

[@f1livenews2023]

@@JustWriteMusic that's Y I own one

[@user-willtopower]

I bought noteperformer 3 after watching this video. The reaction when you rate the sound of Sibelius is so funny. I see you struggling haha

[@user-willtopower]

completely satisfied with noteperformer 3.

[@JustWriteMusic]

AMAZING! So glad I could help and be mildly entertaining at the same time haha :)

[@yjlconductor]

Hi Avi!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Hi Professor! How’s it going? I see you found my little project here 😊

[@bluebassboy22]

They gotta make this AI to perform along with your own selection of samples.

[@JustWriteMusic]

great point, it can definitely be better for individual selections, also chamber stuff feels wanting

[@emmyzcomposer]

Sibilius or Sibelius?

[@JustWriteMusic]

The latter :)

[@AndraDare]

Note performer sounds better than Sibelius, but neither sound particularly great. Perhaps mastering would help?

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much for your comment! Good point. I wouldn't say it's a replacement for a well-sampled orchestra library, but I think it does pretty well for an on-the-fly sound for MIDI and Sibelius parameters. I think mixing would do it some justice, yeah, but I'd advise against looking to mastering to make anything better. It's strictly a process for distribution and audio clean up, rather than processing a sound. Also, I'm trying to make better videos. Could you please answer a couple of questions? 1. What's your biggest frustration with writing music? 2. What's your biggest hope or dream for writing music / your process? Thanks so much!

[@AndraDare]

​@@JustWriteMusic Mastering can dramatically improve overall sound quality, but you're right about mixing, of course. I write a great deal of music in several different genres. I wish I had the money to get it all mixed and mastered in a well equipped studio by pro audio engineers. My biggest hope or dream is that I'll create music that adds beauty and interest to the world - music that moves or transforms others in some small way. If more of my music got into films, that would be great, too. My process varies. Sometimes music arises wholly from powerful emotional experiences. Sometimes it emerges through experimentation. Sometimes I write on the guitar, sometimes keyboard. Often songs just emerge complete in my head as if I'm merely a transmitter. Not sure if that's what you wanted to know, but there it is. Good luck with your music and all of your visions!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Thanks so much for your reply! Yesss I’m in the same boat as you. In fact, that’s what led me to be an audio engineer for a time; so I didn’t have to rely on those big studios (cause I worked in one). I’m admittedly out of practice now, though. That’s a really beautiful sentiment! I always love hearing people talk about wanting to give an experience with their art rather than it being a ladder to fame, gain, and success. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting those things and art being the medium for it, but I suppose there’s a purist in me. I think variety in your process is a great thing! It allows more avenues for your inner ear to latch on to something. I absolutely loved your idea of your music being “transmitted“ into your head; I’ve heard similar accounts in biographies of some early 20th century composers my mind is blanking on. Your answers were super helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. It means a ton and means I can help more people. More traditional musical pedagogy can actually be a bit counterproductive on here, I’ve found. But thank you again and have a wonderful holiday!

[@AndraDare]

@@JustWriteMusic Thanks for the thoughtful response and for doing such good work in the world! Cheers!

Note Performer always beats the Sibelius Sounds. It is definitely worth the money.

[@JustWriteMusic]

couldn't agree more! There's definitely room for improvement with noteperformer, but it's a clear step up

[@MiraDaWulf]

Not a fan of how noteperformer clips the ends of phrases at all.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Totally fair. It's certainly far from perfect. I really don't like the bit of distortion you can hear at louder listening levels. I'd go in to process it out, but then we risk further artifacts. This is why really good orchestra samples are so expensive

[@O5680]

The violins alone make it worth the cost.

[@JustWriteMusic]

FACTS. Thanks for commenting 🙏

Note performer has more ambience, I don't like this aspect

[@JustWriteMusic]

That’s fair. I believe you can change this in the settings. I think it’s called “room” and will audibly change the reverb and room sound. Thanks for commenting!!

@@JustWriteMusic Thanks for the reply :D

[@JustWriteMusic]

@My pleasure!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Got something for ya: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp3Gcpiqmcisr7c

@@JustWriteMusic Nice, thanks!

[@kgb-files9260]

Privet friends... You should hear NotePerformer 4 in Doric Pro! ;-) До свидания

[@JustWriteMusic]

Nice!

[@Stemma3]

Sorry, but the piano is dry because noteperformer has a LOT of reverb there, you can't deny that.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Not sure I'm following. Dry usually refers to no reverb at all. Thanks!

[@Stemma3]

@@JustWriteMusic the noteperformer piano has so much reverb that makes the other sound dry.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Ohhh I see what you’re saying now. You can actually manually adjust the amount of reverb. I have another video where I show how to do that :)

[@Stemma3]

@@JustWriteMusic No, you said that Sibelius sounds dry and the other doesn't. Well, the other has a lot of reverb, that's why. A real piano in a room doesn't sound like that.

[@JustWriteMusic]

Ahhh I see what you’re referencing. Thanks for clarifying!

[@solraczurc3978]

The best $120 spent, worth every penny

[@JustWriteMusic]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@saacomposer]

I already stopped in the beginning, thanks!

[@JustWriteMusic]

Sweet :)

[@mistermornevanderberg]

Sibelius is TERRIBLE with glissando

[@JustWriteMusic]

FACTS